Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will sit out Belgium’s Nations League campaign but has not ended his international career, according to reports from Belgian media.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper had indicated after the World Cup that he was considering taking a break from international football. He will therefore miss Belgium’s six Nations League matches against France, Italy and Turkey over the next three months.
Courtois confirmed after Real Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Inter Milan on Tuesday that new Belgium coach Mark van Bommel understood his decision.
“I will remain available for the European Championship qualifying campaign with the national team, and I understand that I will have to fight for my place just like the other goalkeepers,” he told Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws.
“Physically, I don’t know if I can maintain the same schedule for another four years.”
The first qualifiers for the 2028 European Championship are scheduled to begin in March next year.
Courtois’ decision means Belgium will have to rely on other goalkeeping options during their Nations League campaign, while the Real Madrid star remains open to returning to the national team for the Euro 2028 qualifying series.
